Ph.D. in Counselor Education FAQ
The following questions are most often asked by doctoral students.
Will my temporary advisor automatically become my permanent major advisor?
No, after becoming better acquainted with the program area's faculty, you may request another advisor. However, not every faculty member is eligible to chair a doctoral advisory committee. (Also, because faculty members are limited in the number of new dissertation committees they may chair in any given year, the person you wish to have serve as your dissertation advisor once you achieve candidacy status may be unable to do so on a time schedule convenient to you.)
Who is responsible for selecting my Advisory Committee? When should this Committee be appointed?
You are responsible for selecting eligible faculty members to serve on your Advisory Committee. (Some programs have opted to have a program Advisory Committee.) Check this with your temporary advisor. You are responsible for meeting with each individual and obtaining his or her signature on the appropriate form. The Committee should be formed before you have completed twelve (12) semester hours of course work.
Is it my responsibility to schedule the time and place of any meetings I have with my Advisory Committee?
Yes! You also will need to send each member a memo verifying the meeting day, time and place.
Is a formal meeting required when seeking approval for my proposed Program of Study?
Check with your advisor on the preferred procedure. It is highly advisable to hold a brief meeting of the Advisory Committee, with all members present. A draft copy of the Plan of Study form should have been completed and sent to each committee member well in advance of the proposed meeting. A Plan of Study should be submitted for review and approval before you have completed twelve (3) semester credit hours of required course work.
Must I provide refreshments at my committee's meeting?
No.
Is there a fee to take the comprehensive examinations?
There is no fee required.
Is it appropriate to present my ideas for my dissertation to my Advisory Committee during my oral candidacy exam?
Only if your Advisory Committee will be appointed as the Dissertation Committee. Time permitting, it is not inappropriate to discuss possible dissertation topics.
How much time should I allow for my Dissertation Committee to review my proposal before scheduling a meeting?
Two–four weeks is considered an appropriate interval but it varies depending on the number of committees on which faculty serve. It can take 6-8 weeks at times.
Is there a form needed when submitting my dissertation title?
Yes. It is a Graduate School form, titled Dissertation Title and Dissertation Committee Form. (If you change your committee, you also will need to submit Change of Committee form.) The secretary in 106 Graduate Education will hold the dissertation title form until your IRB form has been approved by the University IRB Committee. Be sure to notify her AND your chair when you have been notified of final approval to begin your research. Do NOT begin until you receive confirmation from your chair.
Is there a fee for graduation?
Yes. The fee is listed on the graduation application.
When should I apply for graduation?
You should apply early in the semester in which you expect to complete your degree, the deadline for which appears in the Schedule of Courses. You will receive information from the Registrar in late February or early March regarding May graduation. If you have not received any information by mid-March, contact the Registrar's Office.
Are there forms that must be completed at the time of my final oral defense?
Yes. The Record of Progress form is sent to your advisor from the Graduate School upon receipt of the notification of your final defense. You also will need to have signature sheets (on 100% cotton bond paper) available at your dissertation defense (see Dissertation guidelines).
How much time should be allowed for the committee to review a dissertation?
At least two weeks. (A memo indicating the date for a final defense is sent to each committee member and a copy to the Graduate School.)
Do I need to do my own statistics for my dissertation?
Yes. To do otherwise would be a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy and reason for dismissal from the program, as this must be your own work. Students are required to take 18 semester credits of research. The selection of your research electives should be related to your dissertation so you may successfully complete this part of your graduation requirements.
Is the dissertation defense an open or closed meeting?
It is an open meeting.
Whose responsibility is it to ensure that all my records and forms are done?
While your advisor/chair will assist, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to ensure that all processes and procedures are completed appropriately.